FEBRUARY 24, 2001

Schumacher taken to court

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER will appear in a Brussels court on Monday after Sports Europe, the distributor for Bell Helmets, accused the world champion of a breach of contract.

The Ferrari driver has a contract with the Belgium-based company to wear their helmets until the end of the 2001 season, but he has switched to German brand Schuberth Helme for the new season.

Bell have been incensed by the move, and are will challenge the 32-year-old in a Brussels court on Monday.

"Sports Europe and Bell Helmets intend to protect their rights against the current world champion whose title does not exclude him neither from respecting his signed agreements, nor for the most elementary ethical behavior," a Bell Helmets statement read.

The helmet manufacturer said it has an exclusive agreement with Schumacher which obliges him to wear a Bell helmet "at each sporting event requiring the use of a helmet for the whole of the 2001 season."

They claim they were not told of his switch to Schuberth, and only found out about the situation through press reports.